Pagara brothers, Melindo want to end year on winning note

MANILA, Philippines – Up-and-coming boxing stars Milan "El Metodico" Melindo and brothers Jason and Albert Pagara are ready to get back in the ring where they hope to end 206 on a winning note.

All three fighters are set to see action in the Pinoy Pride 39: Road to Redemption fight card at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City on Saturday.

Melindo is getting another crack at a championship belt as he faces Thailand's Fahlan Sakkreerin, Jr. (31-4; 16 KOs) for the interim IBF world junior flyweight belt.

Both Melindo (sixth) and Sakkreerin (third) are in the top 10 of the IBF's junior flyweight rankings.

• READ: Pinoy Pride 39 fight card complete with eight bouts

"Dalawang beses na ako na nabigo sa pagkuha ng world title," said Melindo. "Marami nga ang nagtatako kung bakit hindi pa ako nagre-retiro. Kaya ngayon, gusto ko ipakita na kaya ko pa rin lumaban."

Meanwhile, Albert Pagara (26-1, 18 KOs) is looking to bounce back from his shock loss to Cesar Juarez in his last fight, which was held in a Pinoy Pride card in California.

He will be up against Ghana's Raymond Commey (16-1, 9 KOs).

His older brother, Jason Pagara (39-2, 24 KOs), is looking to continue his winning ways when he takes on Jose Alfaro (28-10-1, 24 KOs) from Nicaragua. With both fighters posting above-average knockout rates, the bout is not tipped to go the distance.

Pinoy Pride 39 is the fifth and final Pinoy Pride event of 2016.

The fight card will air on free TV on Sunday on ABS-CBN on 3:30 p.m., and on ABS-CBN Sports+Action at 6:30 p.m.

For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.